As the ad rotates…

Earlier this month we noted Ford’s Drive One series ad featuring Chris (video below). Chris explained why he chose to buy the Ford F-150 pickup truck. In a mock press conference setting, Chris was asked why buying American was important to him. Chris responded: “I wasn’t going to buy another car that was bailed out by our government. I was going to buy from a manufacturer that’s standing on their own: win, lose, or draw. That’s what America is about is taking the chance to succeed and understanding when you fail that you gotta pick yourself up and go back to work. Ford is that company for me.”

Now comes word that Ford has killed the ad in the wake of media criticism and, reportedly, inquiries from the White House: “The ad, pulled in response to White House questions (and, presumably, carping from rival GM), threatened to rekindle the negative (if accurate) association just when the president wants credit for their positive results (GM and Chrysler are moving forward, making money and selling vehicles) and to distance himself from any public downside of his decision.”

This story is, as they say, developing. At last word, Ford has restored the video to YouTube, explaining that its removal was part of a “planned rotation.”